The Press., 1887-11-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Washington. D. C.. No


 Now that the opening of congress is only a few weeks of, Washington is busy pre- pairing for the annual eveut. AbSentees are returnind rapidly, Every day one meets more familiar faces on the streets, aud every day there arrives q contingent of that great floating population p cdiiar to the capital
 Every moment of the presidents time that can be spared from his daily ron inc duties, is spent upon the prepHIatluu of his message to the tiftieth congress. Tne members of the cabinet, the chi fs of bu reaus and the heads of diviNluns are busy contributing to this literary medley tht presidential message) inasmuch aS they compile much of the data from which it ia made. The official report of Attorney l General Garland is already ill the hands of the president. S. cretury Falrchild, uf the treasury, has been compelled to seek the privacy of hls home in order tu tnd time for tn" preparation of his annual report. The st cletarv of the navy Is still absent in New Yolk under the supervision of his physician, aud will probably not be m con- drlon to furnish all official pal e: nt all this year The secretaries of war and of the interior have been at thu ir posts for some weeks, and are at work on tielr re. ports.
 The most interesting eveut Cf the past ten days here has been the hearing of the anarchists appeal to the supreme court. The supreme court room at the capitol has been crowded each day by lawyers and newspaper men, and on Wednesday, when the decision against them was rendered, 1t was packed to suffocation.
 The United States court of claims. which took a "recess" last May, met again on Monday last for whatthey call the "winter term" This court is composed of five venerable gentlemen who do a little work and enjoy much leisure. They each get salary of $4, 500 per year, which is good pay, judging from results.
 There IS docket of over three fl O lsand cases that confronts them now. Many of l the creditors of the government who have [ Claims before this court for adjudication will have tnauce, patience, courage and hope exhausted, even if they do not drop into the church yard and mad house be- fore their pending Cases are disposed of. Dickens says in ''Bleak House" of the Court of Chancery, Suffer any wrong that can be done you, rather than come here, and think there is n close analogy between the two tribunals.
 It Is thought the coming winter will be one of unusual interest here. The con. gressional SC ssion will be long ard busy. the social season long and brilliant. The eve of presidential campaign is always a lively winter in social way here. Then another consideration in favor of the long session of the new congress, is that it will be leap year when the official season opens. The fact that furnished private residences here are quoted as high as $1 ,000 per month, proves that these things are appre- clated by those outside, as well as the high esteem in which the city is held as Il winter resort.
 The season will be officially launched, as usual, this year by the presidents re- ception at the white house ou New Years day. White house festivities include, at the least, three state dinners (the cabinet, diplomatic, and supreme court judges), the four evening receptions (diplomatic, congressional, army and navy) the public receptions, and Mrs. Cleveland's Saturday afternoons.
 The fine old building occupied by the British minister has received extensive re. pairs during the summer, and the dlplo- matic corps resident will be led this year by the British legation. The secretary of state, whose family has so long been in re. tirement, will open his house on Highland Terrace again this winter His daugh- ters, assisted by a kinswoman, will do the honors. In the event of St cretary Lamar being transferred to, the supreme court circle, there is an unknown quantity in prospect ill the official and social world which cannot be ciphered out just now